Process and apparatus for the electrical fixation of nitrogen from air and the products resulting therefrom



J. E. BLOOM. PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE ELECTRICAL 'FIXATION 0F NITROGEN FROM AIR AND THE PRODUCTS RESULTING THEREFROM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-2|, 1918.

1,334,590, Patented Mar. 23, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

m. 1% mm,

Maw I INVENTOR .I. E. BLOOM. PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE ELECTRICAL FIXATION 0F NITROGEN FROM AIR AND THE PRODUCTS RESULTING THEREFROM APPLICATION FILED AUG. 2I, 19 l8. A 1,334,590. Patented Mar. 23, 1920..

. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. F i .4

INVENTOR umTEn sratrns PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB E. BLOOM, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

' PROCESS AND A PPAR' ATUS FOR THE ELECTRICAL FIXATION OE NITROGEN FROM AIR To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, JACOB E. BLOOM,

-major, U.' S. Army, retired, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, city of New York, in the countyof Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes andApparatus for'the Electrical Fixation of Nitrogen from Air and the Products Resulting Therefrom, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in present electricprocesses for fixing nitrogen from air; and has for its object to increase -velocity of nitrogen fixation and the amount of fixed nitrogen,'without material increase of cost or time; other objects being as described in the specification and claims.

This invention consists in general, in treating the air and gases during, and conducting present nitrogen fixation processes under insulated conditions, by immediately following same with electric adsorption energy, upon and in the air and gases beyond the electric arc, with or without fresh air; or upon adsorption surfaces of sundry coarsely comminuted or granular or crystal- 7 line dielectric adsorpents, in, an A. C. field,

or A. C. fields, under insulated conditions; advantageously of low frequency and of low voltage; andfladva'ntageously with low frequency 16 to 25, and low voltage or about 1% IV or less than the decomposition voltage of nitric acid; and advantageously with the intermittent leading 'to' earth of only uncombined surplus free positive or only uncombined free surplus negative charges ions and electrons, advantageously .the former,-

therefrom while insuch field, and in synchronism with the frequency of the A. C. creating said fields. I

The fixation of atmospheric nitrogen may be classified into three groups: first group: the combustion of nitrogen and oxygen in the electric arcg-secOnd group: the direct synthesis of nitrogen andhydrogen to ammonia;third-group: thecombination of nitrogen with metals or carbids or the cyanamid process of fixing atmospheric nitrogen. This lmprdvement pertains more especially to or is illustrated by the first group, orthe oxidizing the nitrogen of the air in the electric arc, and subsequent thereto.

. As additional steps in the present process air in the electric of nitrogen fixation from AND THE PRODUCTS RESULTING THEREFROM.

' Specification of Letters Patent. Patented M31. 23, 1920. Application filed August 21,;918. Serial No. 250,814.

are furnace and thereafter I treat the air, and the nitrogen gases formed at the arc, by conductin same, rapidly and forcibly, advantageously with fresh ionized or ozoni zed air advantageously from bright sunlight 'or other ionizing or ozonizing source, advantageously blowing same in the arc fur nace near the are, against an earthing c0ol-- ingelectrode having-a ground linewith an interrupter hereafter described; and then in a connecting or the same chamber over or near the A. (J. arc, blowing same into contact with baflie plates with-roughened surfaces, constituting water-cooled electrodes for an A. C. field; and thence into a succession of A. C; fields in vessels connected with each other and'the arc furnace, all under insulated conditions, beyond the arc vessel, and

holding comminuted 1 adsorption materialcalled adsorpents, advantageously first electro-positive in one of said A. C. fields, and

next electro-negative in next A. C.'field, or

vice versa; and in some cases advantageously with intermittent earth forcing electric connection from an earthing electrode amid the contents in said vessels, for only positive or only negative free surplus uncombined charges, electrons, and ions or the I like, in synchronism and automatically with the A. '0. current creating said A. C. field, or fields, advantageously of low frequency preferably 16 to 2 5 cycles with regulable voltmeans, such as raising its temperature;

drawing it from the neighborhood of arcs or glowingmetals; or from a space in which an electric discharge is passing; or from ozonizing apparatus; and the like. This conductivity is due. to electrons, which form electrified particles or ions, mixed up with the gas. Th process by which a gas is made into a conductor is called the ionization of the gas. The movement of free electrons constitutes the current through the gas.

Cold surfaces being the reverse or antithesis of catalytic-like surfaces, I advancooling condensers; and finally likewise in A tageously use hot surfaces with the A. C.

field, or hot refractory granules or'c stals, as adsorpents, until the oxidation 0 2N0 etc. into NO,- is attained.

In general it maybe said, the process d e-J pends primaril upon adsorption of one or other or' possib y both of the reacting. gases by the extensive adsorption surfaces acting in the A. O. field and whereby the gases are rendered electrically active and with resulting combination, or increase of veloclty of combination.

As a general rule, in the present rocesses, the reaction velocity falls material y, as the temperature is caused to fall'below sundry temperatures, different for different components; with this im rovement of conducting the process to attam reactions in the G. field, advant rial, the reactlon velocity of the igher temperatures is largely orin part maintained, even at the lower temperatures. Again, where in someof present processes, air pressure of several atmospheres is now used, such is dispensed with, and adequate pressure is obtained'by my process-of using opposing A. G. fields whose opposing alternations act hammer-like on the surfaces of the a'dsorpents a's anvil-like supports.

'In this process the substances used as adsorpents intheA. C. fields do not constitute componentsof the products of the process, By the term comminuted adsorpents I include very coarse sizes such as pea-size, so thatair and" gases can be forced through a mass of such by suction of less than one atmosphere pressure or by. forcepump pressure of several atmospheres.

As a process, my invention comprises an additional novel st or steps in the present process for the e ectric fixation of nitrogen from air, in an arc furnace, of treating suitable substances as now used in such nit'rogen fixation, such as air, gases and nitrous 'oxid or peroxid of nitrogen or other nitrogen compounds, by rapidly subjecting the same first in the electricfurnace beyond or after the action of the electric arc, and seceously with adsorfition sequent stages of manufacture, to. and through an A. 0; electric field or fields or opposing A. C. fieldsin a'suitable 'conduit into an oxidation chamber 'ora combination of cooling and oxidizing tube or a series. of such tubes or the like advantageously with adsorption towers, or the like with water or alkaline solution, and whi h term adsorption-towers, all under insulated conditions; thereby subjecting the same to the influence of an alternating electric field or.fields or stress, or stresses, or a magnetic or magnetoelectricsor electro-magnetic or electro-static or oscillating field or silent discharge or a combination. of such, or..two offthe same,

' between A. O. electrodes thereafter. And'in (explosives) and 205,228 (dyeing); and T.-

-age of nitric acid be used,then in addition tothe singlephase A. C., an additional sufrom alternating current sources, and which I call or include in the term A. C. field, un-

passagesbeyond the arc vessel through a mass of a suitablecoarsely comminutedsolid insoluble chemically inert or dielectric ad.- sorpent under insulated conditions; such ad--.

sorpents, electro-positive and 'electr o-nega tive being used in succession, all in suitable ateinsulated or dielectric chambers; the gases,

air etc., being passed under pressure or suction continuously and ra idly over and through the interstices of tlie adsorpents in the successive tubes, and rapidly through the entire apparatus; advantageously with well known cooling means during said passages; and advantageously though not necessarily in all cases, the gases and contents bein intermittently automatically connected to ground electrically as regards only the uncdmbined surplus freed positive or only the uncombined surplus freed ne ative charges electrons and ions, from the sa1d'ad* sorption vessels or tubes andalso from the arc furnace both-near the arc electrodes and some cases I advantageously'use the process of opposing A. C. field's" as described in'my a plication for US. atents applied for ecember 4th,.1917, Serial Numbers 205,229

advantageously so do to attain and accelerate the reaction, where there is a material're-,f duction of temperature. Andif a much 1 higher voltage thanthe decomposition voltpen-mposed direct current is used. whose volt age is about 1%% of the A. C. voltage. The A ondly during the passage therefrom. in sub-' latter should advantageously not exceed the A. C. field inany one tube or chamber carries with i-tsundry charges into the nextadjoining or bond tube or chamber, or into a chamber part 'ofthe first tube beyond the electric-field; and therefore the latter orsecond tube-can be advantageously used'with .adsorpentonly and without setting .up there-- in another. additionalA. C. field.

-In the final tower where nitric acid gases .are absorbed by .water etc, I use advantageously an electro positive: adsorpent as the adsorpent advantageously with the two opposing Al O. fields;.under insulated conditions, without grounding, and where one A. .C. field only is used then with the earthing of only free positive charges and the like, advantageously'to obtain electro-nega'ttive'groups and state in the resulting compound. In some cases, I- advantageously use a continuous process by reintroducing the waste gases (which otherwise flow into the air' from the final adsorption tower) ,either into the furnace or the electric adsorption tubes together with the fresh air.

It is advantageous to avoid introduction of dust. In some cases, the air is first purified and ionized or ozonized and-then treated similarly in like electric adsorption tubes before being mixed with the ases in said tubes beyond the furnace. lmllitl'ly NO can also be made and advantageously similarly treated by the silent discharge with very little elevation of temperature.

It is advantageous to conduct the whole processcontinuously and simultaneously and as expeditiously as practicable and under insulated conditions so. as to complete same while all the air and/gases are in a state of ionization.

As-an apparatus, my invention comprises an electric arcqnitrogen furnace in combination advantageously near the arc, with an earth electrode water cooled and electrically connected through an interrupter passing'to -earth. only one kind of current charge election or ion, advantageously positive; and in g the arc chamber with an A. O. field advantageously, between plate cooling electrode terminals; and connected with-and leading min the arc chamber, a tube conduit or chamber or chambers advantageously of or lined with refractory material, leading from 4 the furnace to a tube or succession of several tubes of cooling and oxidation acid proof refractory lined chambers; and advantageously in the final liquid adsorption, 6., adsorption towers; each with and having a mass of a suitable coarsely comminuted solid insolubleadsorpent, first of one sign in one tube and then of opposite sign in the ensuing tube; with means for forcing, blowingand sucking air and gases'therethrough and through the whole system continuously;

- means for producing andmaintaining, in

and around'said mass and contents, in each or-part. ofsaid tubes and chambers, a suit able-alternating current field or fields under insulated conditions, such as between terminal electrodes,.or an induced magneto electric or electro-magnetic or electro-static or oscillating field or other fields or silent dis- 1 charge, fromAl C. source and which I generally term an A. C. field; and with means of .1 control thereof, especially as regards voltage,

amperage and frequency; the said A. C.

contents'in said furnace or chamber or conduit tubes, to earth, to automatically ground only either positive or only negative free uncombined charges, electrons, and ions,

*through an e'arthing electrode in the tube or chamber, and an insulated ound wire, having in series an exterior insulated electric. step up transformer, with condenser; or What I call a grounding coil, to wit: a magnetic core with a coil of insulated wire or the like following ;or a static machine or theequivalent in connection with an insutrically connecting the moving gases and lated automatic adjustable synchronous interrupter called a selector or the like, passing through such forcibly with increased voltage to earth only positive or only negative electrons, ions and charges, in synchronis'm with the frequency and one kind of the alternations of each cycle of one of the said A. C. creating said A. C.'fields, and holding back 'or insulating the complementary or other alternation-or charge of the A. C. on the contents in the A. C. field; and in some cases, with means of renioving and replacing all or 'part of said adsorpent; with means of withdrawing from said tubes and chambers the liquid condensations of said gases; the said interrupter is advantageously a rotary interrupter or a pendulum interrupter as hereinafter described though "I do not restrict myself thereto; such selector is electrically connected with and in combination with (1) one terminal of the static machine or grounding coil or secondcoil of a step-up transformer and the ar Iik e; and (-2) the other terminal-thereof being connected with the earthing electrodeor the like in the A. C. fields; and '(3) the ground or its equivalent; constituting together what I term electric ground forcer.

In present arc furnace in some cases, I advantageously use such grounding, through an added e rthin'g electrode, water-cooled,

placed near he arc,'in the path of theair at a distance from the arc'electrodes greater than between the electrodes forming the arc; and advantageously a selector to pass only positive to ground; thereby holding back and allowing accumulation of negative charges on the NO and 2N0 and thereby prevent or largely diminish the return to at and ion; that is to say either only positive mosphere N of the fixendN compounds and to attain electno-ne ative groups; and the present tendency 0 the-N and O to reassemble as airat the lower temperatures in-' eidental to removal, both during and after the removal, is largely diminished.

I use the term selector to describe the synchronous rotary interrupter, or the syn chronous magnetic pendulum interrupter adaptable to performing similar functions; that is to say, to have'the function of selecting and passing therethrough to earth only one kind of alternation charge electron or only negative. 1

I use the. term earth electrode to in clude a plateor wire, orgauze or the like, to concentrate and gather thereon inJthe A. C. fields, the freed unbalanced uncombined surplus electric charges, electrons, and ions, intended to be duly grounded, through the selector above. described, which electrically. selects and permits to pass therethrough only the positive or only the nega- I tive, to the ground line therefrom leading to earth, advantageously through a booster,

or the like, to increase the voltage to earth.

When combinations are to be effected between freed positive elements such as O and negative constituents such as NO,advanta'geously all grounding should be avoided;

or even with this intermittent grounding system, there may. be no grounding efl'ect attained, because there may be no free surplus uncombined charges, electrons or ions.-

Hence the importance ofempirical tests.

1 In gases especially, the negative ions have a veiocity materially eater than positive; therefore it-is most important te insulate the negative; or advantageously adjust the earth ground forcer to pass only the posi- 'tive and thus to prevent the passage 'of, and insulate only the negative, permitting the,

passage to earth of free uncombinedsurplus positive, if there be any such.- The earth electrode advantageousl made of material whichis acid-proofand refractory and not affected by the-high temperaturesonflthe acid; advantageously a good e1 icail conduc'sor, and a vantageously non-magnetic, such as carbon (po rous) or aphite;

When t is negativeisto be earthed, then wherethe earth electrode is made of metal,

I advantageously use electro-positive metals whichmost readily dischargepr lose negative charges, such choice being largely governed bythe order of metals, the same as Voltas series for contact electricity, to

witz'rubidinm, potassium, alloy of potassium and sodium, lithiu'm,-magnesium, thallium, zinc, lead, tin, iron, copper, graphite, etc. 1

Sr in the order according to Pfafi, of zinc, cadmium; tin, lead. tungsten, iron, bis-- suppo muth, antimony, copper, silver, uranium,

tellurinm.

And conversely in the reverse. order where omy, I use a combination of such metals as for instance, iron coated or glazed with po-' tassium or zinc, etc., bearing in mind also temperature and inertness as regards chemi- .-cal combination with the gases, acids, etc.

'; Asa product, my invention comprises an :the positive is to be earthed. Or for econelectrically: adsorbed or fixed nitrogen corn- I pound homogeneous and of increased sta- .ility and density over the density as obtained by present methods-of nitrogen fixation. Moreover, inmany such products, I attain the nitrogen and nitrous or nitric acid in the form of clectro-negative groups which are peculiarly advantageous in or.

for the functions desired therefrom.

I attain my improvements by the mechanism or apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which similarletters and numbers refer to similar parts throughout the several views; and the arrows polnt.

the direction of the fiow'of gases.

Figure 1 is a. diagram of vertical section of an electric arc. furnace; supported on insulators, I, with an earthing electrode H near the arc, with a ground line having an;

interrupter or selector X; and with an -A. C. field A. 0. between electrodes advantageously water cooled above 'thearc, and

with intermittent electric ground forcer X' from chamber walls H as an earth elec-' trodc; air pump. Z; all on. insulator rts Fig. 2 is a diagram of a vertical longitudinal section of one of several electric adsorption tubes or conduits or ,vessels, U

serpent Ad.

"' Fig. 3is a diagram of a vertical lOIlgTolldinal section of an electric adsorptiontube,

U-shaped, 'of non-magnetic metal which serves as H, with anelectro-negative adsorpent- Ad, to follow the preceding tube .or vice versa; and with an induced A. C.

field therein created by an-open core transformer core. 0; with grounding from H through-interrupter X.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of an electric adsorp tion tube in perspective havingonecdm lete turn around one arm ofand insulated m a closed core 0 transformer T; the tube at where it incloses the, adsorpent Ad, being connected to earth throu h and static machine A advantageouy interrupter showin adjustment to force negative to earth Fig. is a diagram ofan electric adsorption tube in perspective, having a half turn, 5. U-shaped, around one arm of and insulated from a closed core C of transformer T; -'and having a refrigerating tube W of brine or the like passing therethrough and surrounded therein by the adsorpentAd, through which the gases and air are forced and simultaneously cooled; with earthing fronr H, which may be the metal tube, through interrupter X andistatic machine to force to earth the positive.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of a form of one of several final adsorption towers or advantageously like the plate tower, wherein the gases enter at the bottom, with a water spray entering at the top,such tower being filled with the adsorpent; and in which tower an A. C. field is created between electrodes taking the place of the plates as ordinarily .used in plate absorption towers and with electric earth forcer X. v

Fig. 7 is a diagram of an electric ground forcer, to wit: an automatic electrical pendulum interrupter or selector 9191 pivoted at about center, with polarized relay 90, like Fig. 9 in my application for patent Serial No. 205,229 filed December 4th, 1917, operated in synchronism with main A. C. creating the A. C. field in adsorption tube by 'a shunt 50 therefrom; and automatic electric connection with static machine A A and with earth electrode H, of

adsorption vessel, and ground 87.

Fig.8 is a diagram of an electric rotary interrupter or selector 103104 operated by a shunt from main A. ,C. and elec- 4 trically connected with static machine A A, earth electrode H, of adsorption vessel and ground. a

Fig. 9 is a diagram 'of another type of electric ground force'r showing ground wire 4 from earth electrode H to selector or interrupter X with 2 point switch S adjustable for passing only positive or only negative to an electric condenser and thence to ground with greatly increased voltage through step- .50 up transformer which has a primary coil,

a shunt 50 from main current A. C. creating the field in the adsorption tube; this type being for use in lieu of above static machine.

Y Fig. 10 is a diagram of a grounding coil of very many turns around a magnetic open core, for use in lieu" of condenser and transformer of Fig. 9, with similar connections through switch S, to increase the voltage to earth of only the positive 'or only the negative, for use in lieu of above static machine. I. advantageously insulate the entire apparatus by supporting same on insulated material porcelain, glass, ebonite, etc.

tion of twin adsorpent tubes with or Without an A. C. field, the one PAT holdin a mass of positive adsorpent, and the ot er NAT holding a mass of negative adsorpe-nt and through which there is advantageously first forced from the arc furnace Fig. 1, the air and gases, divided from the one furnace,

.or from two separate furnaces; the gas from Birkeland-Eyde furnace type, where the arc is now deviated magnetically by means of a singlefphase magnetic field,to spread the arc flame over a large area, my improvements advantageously include the lacing of an earthing electrode or plate water cooled, along or parallel to the arc flame,

and at a distance therefrom greater than the distance between the electrodes creating the arc; or otherwise, so as to prevent short circuiting; and I connect said earth electrode to ground through an exterior insulated interrupter or selector as hereafter described and advantageously adjusted to pass only free uncombined positive alternation of the A. C. charges, electrons and ions to earth the other complementary alternation and charge being prevented from passing therethrough and thereby insrlated.

I improve said arc furnace tylpe further, as illustrated by diagram in Fig. 1 by pro-, viding an A. C. field of low voltage and fre- -quency between water-cooled electrodes of extensive roughened surfaces placed close together, acting as baffle plates in the fur: nace chamber, and above or distant from the arc, the air and gases from the are being blown between and around the baffle electrodes into the connecting adj oining electric adsorption tube.

The electrical adsorption tube or chamber is advantageously constructed in the shape of the letter U as illustrated in diagram in Fig. 2, or 3, or 4, or 8 and so that the adsorpent can be conveniently packed and held in position in the bend or bottom of the U, advantageously through a door-way conveniently placed toward the top or upper part of the U; and through which the electrodes for creating an A. C. field can be conveniently placed and repaired. At the en-. trance for air and gases, a powerful air force pump Z is placed for the due receipt or suction of the air and gases from the furnace, advantageously with a different supply pipe from each of several furnaces, Fig. 2, and to be jointly forced by Z through the first elec- 65 Fig. 11 is a diagram of longitudinal sectric adsorption tube and field.

45v from.

supports 1'; advantageously where the A. C.

field is created between electrodes; vand in order to handle the large volumes of air and gases for nitrogen fixatlon and the like, these tubes are advantageously made of such metal, the joints-being sealed; these tubes having insulating connections with ensuing tubes; such construction lends .itself advantageously for manufacturing any parts and the due belting together, and for due repair thereof. Again such construction is advantageous for adapting thexreturn'bends system and cooling methods used in refrig crating apparatus; illustrationas where an interior tube, such as'W in Fig. 5 is inserted in the U-shaped adsorption tubes, advantageously of'pottery,for the passage of cold refrigerating liquid brine or ammonia or the like 'to chill the surrounding gases asthey are forced through the adsorption material which surrounds the refrigerating tube.

Again where the adsorption tube is of a non-magnetic metal, it takes the place of, and acts as the earth electrode 1 1, heretofore described, and which is electrically connected' to earth through the electric'earth foroer herein described for forcing to earth with increased voltage only the positive or onlyfthe negative surplus uncombined free charges, electrons and ions.

40 Again, at 'the lowest-part of the bend of such U=shaped tube as in Fig; 2, there is conveniently placed avessel F for receiving the condensed gases fn liquid form, and with a faucet for the periodical withdrawal there- Inlieuof the ordinary aii blower system as now used to force air into the electric arc furnace, I advantageously use a most powerful air .,force pump system with sufficient power'to force the air and ensuing gases continuously through and from the are furnace and then through a succession of several sets or pairs of electric adsorp tion tubes, one of each set being filled with 65 coarsely :com'minuted positive adsorpents.

and the other following with negative adsorpents and thence into the liquid .Jadsorpenttowers. v

The said adsorpent" tubes are. also advantageously cooling tubes andsimultaneously function as oxidation chambers, and in which the hot'gases are gradually cooled "from about or over 1000 C at the entrance to the first tube to about 59". G in the final tubes whence the gases enter the adsorption towers.

It will be understood that-as a. hot gases.

are led from one adsorption tube to the next .tube, the gas piping can be led through steam boilers, .as at present, for the due heatin thereof.

It Wlll be understood that the number and characteristics of the final adsorption towers will be the same as are now used; such now generally consist of 3 series of stone towers about 20 meters high and about 6 meters internal diameter and each series comprises five towers, namely 3 acid and 2 alkali between electrodes, and having the electrodes support theadsorption material.

The passage of the gases from tower to tower is forced withair compressors or force pumps, advantageously of aluminum fans or pistons respectively, or substances not afiected the acid.

As a general statement, at the electric arc, the nitrogemand oxygen of the air directly unite to form nitrous oxid; thereafter in the subsequent A. C. field between electrodes in the furnace or the like, and again thereafter .in the adsorpent tubes,'the NO or nitrous oxid takes up-oxygen from the. air to-forni nitrogen peroxid; and subsequently in the towers the nitrogen peroxid .is absorbed by the water with the production of nitric and nitrous acid; or is absorbed by a basic solution to, form nitro-lime, etc., or other. basic compound. 7

As a general rule waste gases flowing from the final tower comprise very little nitric gas and are generally allowed to go to waste, but if it befo'un'd" advantageous to savethe same, then the air-and waste gases are led by suitable piping to the air force pump at the furnace advantageously heated in coils encircling the furnace or cooling adsorption tubes, so that thereby there is introduced into the furnace and ensuing adsorption-'tubes, not only the waste gases heated but also ionized.

All of theapparatus, furnace, towers tubes, and the like are supported'on insulators so thatthe entire operation may be conducted under insulated conditions, continuously and. rapidly,

- In some cases wherever the A. C. field .(in

insulated vessels, chambers, tubes, etc., to which the materials are subjected) is created between electrodes, the: casin work or an exposed portion t ereof as H or frame- Fig. 1 of such container or vessel, supported "on insulators, may be advantageously uti- I advantageously use a compressor blower or highpressu're air pump to blow and force the air and gases under pressure of many atmospheres,so as to rub the airrapidly and forcibly through the tubes filled with coarse 'comminutedangular 'adsorpents or through narrow tubes having roughened surfaces-in some cases, roughened by numerous punctures; and more especially so doing prior to injecting the air, preferably hot, into the electric furnace, and referably cooled into electric adsorption tubes; and quickly chill the gases NO and air, upon leavin the are;

and also in injecting the gases witl or without 'fresh' air, into or through-the electric I adsorption tubes as described and with A. C.

fields to accelerate reaction I during the cooling; and advantageously with electric ground forcer as described.

In the carrying to ground of the free uncombined surplus only positive or only negative charges, electrons and ions, which may be set free when the chemical combina- \tions,--in this case, the oxidation of the N,

take place in the A. (l'field, inasmuch as the same are very faint, I increase the forcing to ground thereof --by increasing the voltage through a step-up transformer Fig. 9,

or chamber holding the mass of adsorpent and material being electrically treated, with th positive terminal A of a static machine or-the like, shown in diagram Fig. 4, ad-

vantageously adjusted to avoid sparks, but' with silent discharge between terminals. And conversely I drain positive'electrons or free uncombined surplus positive charges or ions by connecting the ground wire from earth electrode H with the negative terminal A Fig. 5, of static machine or the like: the other terminal in each case being advantageously grounded, as at 77 and 87 respectively.

, Again, 1n some cases, I'use in. the ground wire a magnetlc mechanlcal pendulum interrupter Fig 7 as a part of, the electric earth forcer, adjusted so that in one swing, it makes electric contact with the positive terminalof the said static 1nachine,to discharge to earth'free surplus uncombined negative electrons or ions andin the opposite swing of the pendulum, it makes electrical connection with the negative terminal to discharge free surplus uncombined positive electrons or ions,unlessthe same is previously switched out of the circuit as by switch S.

.And likewise opening switch S and closing switch S when the negative is to be grounded; and so that when surplus negative electrons are to be earthed, then the negative terminal of the static machine is connected to earth; and vice "ersa, when positive charges are to be earthed, the positive terminal is earthed. This is illustrated bydiagram .Fig. 7, by extending the length of the ordinary pendulum 91 beyond or above its pivot 91"; so that when one end of the pendulum 91 makes contact with the positive terminal A of the static machine through cone-contact 95 of the pendulum of the interrupter, to discharge negative electrons or ions, then simultaneously the opposite end 91. makes contact 99 with the negative groundwire, from the negative terminal A; and conversely when the one end of the pendulum 91" in its ensuing swing makes con tact with the negative terminal A through 919 .t'94-- to discharge positive electrons or ions from H, then simultaneously the 95 opposite end of pendulum 91 automatically makes contact 98 with the positive ground wire,the negative ground wire 77 at contact 99 being then automatically severed. The pendulum interrupter is operated by electro-magnets 90 by a shunt 50 from the main A. C. circuit in synchronism with the frequency of the A. C. field surrounding the earth electrode plate H in the chamber or vessel through which the gases or substances are passed or treated.

Again, in lieu of a pendulum interrupter as above described, I advantageously use a synchronous rotary interrupter, which I also call a selector, such as shown in diagram Fig. 8, driven by an A. C. motor 101, driven by the A. C. shunt 50 from the main circuit creating the A. C. field, on an insulated shaft 102; with metal cylindrical collector rings 103 and 104, with projecting'teeth or contacts 94 and 95 respectively, mounted on insulated cylinder l05,'as of ebonite. In the diagram Fig. 8, A and A' represent the terminals of static machine, driven by any? suitable motoror preferably by a motor in synehronism with the A. C. motor 101 driving the rotary interrupter shaft 102, revolved by an A. 0. motor having the same frequency as the A. C. fieldor the A. C. current creatin such field. Or A A represent the termina s of an ignition induction coil, or the like; H is the ground electrode or the like in the vessel or tube inclosing said A. C. field and adsorpents and materials being treated therein; 94 and 95" are-conducting g minals AL and Afand bearing continuously on the insuiated collector rings 103 and 104 respectively, which are insulated from each' other by and supported by the insulator cylinder 105, fixed upon and rev'oiving with shaft 102; 94 and 95 are me tal contact points or lugs or teeth projecting from the metal collector rings 103 and 104 respectively-sand whose surfaces are continuous therewith; 94' and 95' are metallic brushes connected b wire with the grounding electrode H *H-|-) in the vessel; the'contact point being arranged to contact throughout the semicircle or in some cases advantageously at the peak of. the cycle of the A. OQorits maximum amplitude; :94"? and 95""are brushes to ground 98 and 99 plus and .minus respectively. Q Y

'The operation of this A. C. selector is as follows: When the A. "0. motor is duly driven by a shunt 50 from the main A. O. circuit, the interrupter selector revolves; and each successive half revolution carries to ground in due succession, first if there be .any such, the surplus free positive uncombined electrons pr ions or .charges through or from ground plateI-I to ground 98; and

to efi'ect such jpnly, the uncombined free.

negative electrons or charges to I 99-, either 94 or 95"? mustbe permanentiy. cut out by a switch S or S in the ground line; as for instance when it is desired to hold back and prevent the discharge of all negative charges, switch S would be cut out; or 95' brush withdrawn from possible contact withv 95E a In the operation of the selector if it be desired to ground .only the positive, then switch -S'- is closed and switch S is opened;

tion. i v -When the rotatiorr of shaft 102 starts clockwise, contact point 94 contacts with brush 94 from H; and electrically connects with A- the negative terminal of static machine, fli-i'ough 103; and simultaneously contact 95' meets with brush 94' thus snaking electrical connection to ground 98 from positive terminal A. through 1042ind'95 There is then,. no ground connection with 99 or for negative charges; the circuit-being H to 94' to 103 .to194. to A through static machine to A to 95" to 104 to 94" to earth 98. But it be desired to ground the negative only, then switch S-isc osed and switch S is o ened'; and thereupon, in ensuing half revo ution 180", contact 94 is in tpuch with 95' ,to' ground 995- connection A-.to ground; and contact 95 contacts with 95 to and through 104 and .95".. electrically connects with A; and the circuit being H- a double switch may do with one moto 95" to 104 to 95" to A through static B13111 chine to 'A'--- to 94'! to 94 to 95" to earth 99; and there is then no ground conneo:

. 'pera'tures down to 50 mam tion with 98 or for positive charges. And so on, for each half cycle of the rotation. In soi ne cases Where chemical compounds; are formed, in the AJ'C. field, there may be set free either only (1) free surplus uncombined negative charges er electrons orions,

011(2) only free positive-charges or electrons or ions, or (3) both in due succession; such can best be determined empirically by an actual test upon the results; inwhich tests: With apparatus'Figs. 7 'and 8, for (1 the srvitch S is opened to cut out entirel} the gositive from plate H .to ground and switch is closed; or for (2) the switch S is opened to cut out entirely .the negativefrom plate H to ground and switch" is closed; or for (3) 'whereboth switches are closed.

V I do not restrict myself to the apparatus as described such as the particular interrupter and static machine and the like, but' may use other analogous apparatus to attain the same end. As'an adsorpent tainable without excessive cost; or in crushed comminuted grains. "The adsorpent for air or comminuted adsorp tion material in my A. C. fields,'I have deand gases will not be comminuted as finely as for liquids but will be coarse, advantageously pea-size or 10 to 20 mesh, so as to permit ofready assage of the gases which w1ll be blown t rough the chambers by means like forcing air through twyers in blast furnaces, or by air force pump or the like whereof the blades of rotary air. compressors are, advantageously made of hard wood or acid proof material.

I advantageously operate my process and attain my improvement by passing the air and as mixtures from the arc, Flg. 1 and the like, rapidly through the above successive A. C. fields under. insulated conditions and under adequate force into and through said electric adsorption tubes or chambers Figs; 11 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5, or more of such," each advantageously holding masses of com'minutee. solid adsorption. material, either electro-positive such as corundum' (A50 or electro-negative such as silica, .or advantageously each in succession and "advantageously at gradually reduced temsimultaneously having or creating in the said tubes or chambers an alternatin field, preferably of sixteen or twenty cyc es, or less than 100 cycles, low frequency, and with low voltage and advantageously with intermittent earthing as described; and the same being advantageously cooled by Well-known methods.

I advantageously conduct the process which results in ionization of the air and gases in the furnace, rapidly and under insulated conditions so as to retain the ionization of the air as long as practicable; I advantageously subject suchair preceding its introduction, to a process akin to ozonization of air. Again, when fresh air is introducedanywhere into the-furnace or into any of the tubes, it is advantageous to do so in the form of pure ionized air or of electrically charged air as by friction or static or magmaterials are electro-positive, then the interrupter is adjusted to pass only the surplus free positive charges, electrons or ions to earth; and vice versa. It is advanta cons to make an empirical practical test to etermine Whether it is most advantageous asregards percentage of the desired product obtained, to pass only the positive or only the free negative charges electrons and ions to earth through the interrupter, and whether to use first electro-negative or positive adsorption material, or vice versa, or both in due succession.

I do not restrict the process as described to the particular gases above named; but also apply the same to obtain combinations of other gases, or condensations thereof, or combinations of the gases with absorption liquids or solids and the like.

neto-electric forces'in such similar adsorp- Substantially the Same pr s nd election tubes; and I advantageously use air froma bright clear sunlight, which results in an increase in its permeability as regards ionization. I

-And I pass the gases finally through present absorption towers, or plate towers, Fig. 6 or the like, substituting for present plates, electrodes,,with A. (J. field or fields in the tower, and with adsorpents preferably finally positive between the electrodes, and with counter-injections of water sprays and the like, or lime water, or basic solutions thereby constituting or changing absorption towersa into What I call adsorption towers, or chambers, duly attemperated, and under insulated conditions, and advantageously .using the electric ground forcer from the tower contents to'earth, to pass thereto only the one kind of freed or unbalanced charges, electrons and ions, preferably finally' the positive, in synchronism as regards frequency with an A. C. creating one ofsaid A. C.' fields in the tower or the like. Or in the present absorption towers 'with the broken stones or solids asnow used,-I advantageously use the same A. C. fields therein as with my comminuted adsorpents. The electrodes are, advantageously of the type of hollow water attemperated electrodes.- And likewise as regards NO gases from any sou-rce,'to convert same previously to N0 and then to H NO in the adsorption tower with water and the like. This electrode A. C. adsorption system is adaptable also in other forms 'ofabsorption towers.

In the final adsorption tower nearly all the nitrous-fumes escaping prior condensation, are absorbed by the down-streaming water spray facilitated by adsorption on the adsorpent surfaces inthe A. C. "field soas to form a dilute nitric acid; and in some cases a lime water is used to form a calcium nitrate suitable as fertilizer; and similarly with other absorbents.

When the said comminuted adsorption trio adsorption tubes and accompanying apparatus as described are applicable in the manufacture of the compound gas, to wit: Ammonia, NH by duly mixing three volumes of hydrogen with one of nitrogen from. air, while forcing same with adequate pressure through the comminuted adsorpents, as above described, advantageously in anA. C. field under insulated conditions, at high temperature-advantageously about 500 C.; and

even with lower temperatures the above process is applicable with about the same reaction velocity as with the much higher temperature. In general H is positive; and N is negative; and when such are duly charged accordingly as above described, when they. meet on the surfaces of the adsorpents,

advantageously activated in the A. C. field, then chemical combinations thereof are acti. vated and quickly attained. I claim 1. In the electrical fixation of nitrogen from air, in the arc. furnace processes, the

additional step of conducting present processes therefor under inmllated conditions, and likewise in A. C. fields beyond the arc furnace.

2. In the electrical fixation of nitrogen from air, in the arc furnace processes-,tlm additional step of conducting present processes therefor under insulated conditions,

.and in A. C. fields beyond the arc furi'iace,

'4. In the electrical fixation of nitrogenfrom air, in the arc furnace process, the additional step of conducting the present processes for treating the air and gases beyond the electric arc, which consists in subjecting the air and gases to A. O. fields, under insulated conditions, while being forcibly ,and rapidly conducted through successive masses of comminuted suitable dielectric. adsorption material. a

5. In the electrical fixation of nitrogen from air, in the arc furnace process, theadditional steps of conducting the present processes under insulated conditions and subjecting the air and gases beyond the electricarc to A. C. fields under insulated conditions while being forcibly and rapidly conducted through masses of comminuted suitable dielectric adsorption material; and with .theleading to earth therefrom of only the one kind of free surplus uncom'bined elec trical charges, electrons and ions in synchro-'- nism with the frequency of the. A.'C. creating the said fields. V v

6. In the electrical fixation of nitrogen from air' in the arc furnace process, the additionalsteps of conducting the present processes and in subjecting the air and gases beyond the electric arc, under insulated conditions, to opposing A.- C. fields under insulated conditions while being forcibly and rapidly conducted through a mass of comminuted suitable dielectric adsorption material of the one Sign; followed by like treat ment while the gases and air are being forced rapidly through a comminuted suit- 'able dielectric adsorption material of opposite sign to that of'the previous adsorption material;

7. In the electrical fixation of nitrogen from air in the arc furnace process, the ad- .ditional steps of conducting the. present processes "under insulated conditions; and also subjecting the air and gases beyond the arc furnace, to A'. C, fields under insulated conditions while being forcibly and rapidly conducted through masses of comminuted suitable dielectric adsorption material, and finally forcing the air and'gases similarly into and through comminuted suitable dielectric adsorptlon material as the adsorpent, in absorption towerswith a liquid absorber.

8. In the electrical fixation of nitrogen from air, the additional steps of treating the air and gases beyond the arc furnace which consists in subjecting the air and gases to an A. C. field and then forcing same through a mass of comminuted suitable dielectric adsorpents underinsulatedconditions.

9. In the process for the electrical fixation of nitrogen from air in an' arc furnace, the additional step of conducting the present process in an and the like, and so doing in synchronism with the frequency of the A. 0.. which creates the arc.

10. In the "process of oxidizingnitrous oxid and peroxid of nitrogen gases and the like, the additional ste of conducting the present process in an C. field under insulated conditions. i

11. In the process 'of oxidizing nitrous oxid and peroxid of nitrogen gases and the like, the additional step of conducting the present process in an A. G. field under insulatedconditions'; and with the leading to earth from the gases and air of only the one kind of electrical charge, electron and ion with increased voltage and in synchroent processes in A. C. fields under insulated 7 conditions; and while the gases and air are being forcibly and rapidly conducted through a mass of comminuted dielectric adsorption. material;

l3. In the processes of oxidizing nitrous oxld and peroxid of nitrogen gases and the. like, the additional step of conducting the present processes in A. C fields under insulated conditions; and while the gases and air are being forcibly and rapidly conducted through a mass of comminuted dielectric adsorption material, together with ozonized air. v

-14.- In the process of oxidizing nitrous oxid and peroxid of nitrogen gases and the like, the additional ste of conducting the C. field under insulated conditions; and while the gases and an are being forcibly and rapidly 'conduct-, ed through 'a mass of comminuted suitable dielectric adsorption material; and with the leading to earth therefrom of only the one kind of free surplus uncombined electric charges, electrons and ions with increased voltage and in synchronism with the fre- (flilliilcy of the A. C. creating the said A. G.

15. In'the present processof absorbing and combining nitrous oxid a'ndnitric oxid and the like, with water and alkali solution and the like, the additional step of conducting the same in A. C. fields under insulated conditions.

16. In the present processes of absorbing and combining nitrous oxid and nitric oxid and the like with water and alkali solution and the like, the additional step of conducting the same in an A. O. field under in- .sulated conditions, and with the leading to earth therefrom with increased voltage, of only the one kind of free, surplus, uncombmed electric charges, electrons and ions in synchronism with the frequency of the A. G. creating the said field.

17. In the present process of absorbing and combining'nitrous oxid and nitric oxid and the like with water and-alkali solution electric adsorption material, and meeting thereon the percolating liquid absorbers.

18. In the present process of absorbing and combining nitrous oxid and nitric oxid and the like, with Water'and alkali solution and the like, the additional step of con ducting the same inan A. C.- field under insulated conditions, and simultaneously While the gases and liquids are being passed through comminuted dielectric adsorption material; and with the leading to'earth with increased voltage from said liquids and gases and comminuted material, of only the one kind of'free, surplus, uncombined electrical charge, electrons and ions in synchronism with the frequency of the A. C. creating the said field. t

19. A process of compounding gases of two gaseous components which consists in first electrically charging-the twocomponents separately With opposite signs, and then forcing same together through amass of inert comminuted dielectric adsorpents, all under insulated conditions.

20. A process of compounding gases of several gas constituents which consists in first electrically charging theconstituents with opposite signs, and then of mixing the same together all under insulated condi- ,tions.-.

' 21. In the electrical fixation of nitrogen from air in the synthetic ammonia process,-

the process of combining nitrogen and hydrogen gasesthrough first charging same with opposite electric signs and forcing same together through masses of comminuted chemically inert dielectric adsorpents under insulated conditions.

22. In the electrical fixation/of nitrogen from air in the synthetic ammonia process, the process of combining nitrogen and hydrogen gases through first charging same with opposite electric signs and forcing same together through masses of comminuted chemically inert dielectric adsorp- -ents in an A. C. field under insulated conditions,

23. A process of fixing and attaining combinations of gases which consists in bringlng same together on the surface of insoluble dielectric adsorpents in an A. G.

field under insulated conditions.

'24. A" process of fixing and attaining combinations of gases which consists in bringmg same together on the surface ,0f.in

serpents in opposing A. (l. fields, under insoluble dielectric adsorpents in an A5 G. field under insulated conditions and leading 'toearth therefrom only the, freed surplus gases together on the surfacesohamass of comminuted inert insoluble dielectric 'ad sulated conditions. I

26. In connection with a system ofrthe nature described, the method' o'f insulating from earth and thelike, any vessel, and its contents as regards only the one kind of electricity charge, electron and ion, which consists in insulating the vessel and contents as a -whole on insulator supports, and

in discharging to earth from the contents only the other and opposite complementary kind of charge electron and ion, substantially as described.

27. In an apparatus of the nature 'de-' scribed, a vessel for treating'suitable mixtures of gases and air, in combination with a comminuted dielectric adsorpent within the vessel, means for attemperating and rapidly forcing air and gases therethrough. means for producing in such mixture therein, alternating current fields and stresses,,

of regulated frequency, voltage and amperthe vessel, means for attemperating and i510 rapidly forcing air and gases therethrough.

means for producing in such mixture therein, alternating current fields and stresses, of regulated frequency, voltage and amperage under insulated conditions and means for earth connecting from the mixture through an insulated-electric ground forcer and interrupter making and breaking earth connection .for one sign only of the alternations of each cycle of one of the alternat- .ing currents creating said field.

30. An a'pgaratus of the nature'described, comprising an insulated essel holding a comminuted dielectric adsorpent, in combi= nation with insulatedregulated means for forcibly supplying to and rapidly withdrawing therefrom a suitable mixture of gases, air and the like; means for attemperatlng-same; insulated means for providing and maintaining in said mixture and ressel alternating current fields, under inslilated conditions;ii1sulated means for'jellectrically connecting the said mixture in said vessel to earth, through an eleictric ground rent circuits, operating, the interru ter' and forcer and interrupter; making and breaking earth connection in synchronism with the freqnency of one of the'alternating cur-' creating one of said fields, and alanced in the other lead of same alternating current circuit by. a suitable impedance coil; .means for placing .an insulate inductive resistance in series in each of said alternating current circuits. L 5

7 31. In an electric arc furnace for nitrogen fixation'from air, an earthing electrode in the path of the gases near the arc and electrically oonnected to earth through an insulated ground line to an insulated interrupter selector adjusted to pass only the one kind of charge, electron, ion and the i like, to earth.

o 32. An electric arc furnacecomprising an A. (l arc' m, a suitable furnace chamber,

flunderj insulated conditions, 'in combination with means of forcing air and gases into and through the arc, means of leading to earth from the gases in the vicinity of the are within the furnace of only the positive alternation, charge; electron and ion in the gases resulting from the arc current.

33. An eleetric arc furnace comprising an A. arc in a suitable furnace chamber under insulated conditions in combination with means of forcingair and'gases through the furnace and with an earth electrode in v the path of and in contact with the gases with means of forcingair and gasesinto near the are having a synchronous interrupter in the ear-thing line therefrom to pass, to earth only the one kind of alternation charge, electron and ion, with means of increas ng the voltage thereof'to earth.

34 M electric arc furnace comprising an A. in a sultablefurnace chamber under msulated conditions in combination and through and fromthe] high voltage are into and through an A. C. field of low voltage, between cooling. electrodes within the furnace, and thence beyond intoother and codiingandoxidizing chambers, underinsula'ted conditions. I 5

35. In the ap'paratuslfcr the purpose 'de-' v scribed, an electric- {ground forcer'compris- I ing an insulated adjusta hle interrupter selectdr' in an electric ground line from an A. C. field in suitable vessels under insulated conditions, in combination with an insulated static mac he and the, like, one terminal whereof being electrically connected with an ea'rthing electrode in. said A. G. field; and,

', theother terminal being electrically connected through an insulated interrupter selector to earth, the said selector being adjustable and adjusted-to passtherethrough to earth and homogeneous.

from the earth electrodeautornatically only the One kind of charge, electron and ion-in syn'chronism with the frequency of the A. Cl creating the said field;

36. In an apparatus for the purpose'described; an electric 7 earthing apparatus comprising the combination of insulated Lvesselstmd contents with ground wire therefrom with. an interrupter in the ground Wire passing therethi'ough only the one kind of current 7 charge,

-ion,.with means of selectin and discharge ectron and ing only'- sucg; one kind of alternation of A. (1. and of-insulating the other complementary charge and the like, with means of increasing the voltage of the former to earth.

37. In an apparatus for the purpose de-' scribeda synchronous selector grounding apparatus from an insulated A. C. field comprising an earth electrode in the AC. field prising an earth electrode in the A. C. field with aground wire therefrom having'in the ground line an insulated synchronous 'selector interrupter to pass therethrouglr in synchronism with said A. O. onlytheone kind of alternation, charge, electron, and ion,'to and with insulated condenser in "series and fan insuiated step-up transformer increasing the voltage to earth.

In a lantl'for the manufacture of nitrates by e electrical oxidation ofjair, an electric arc furnace in combination with a succession of continuonsly connected and simultaneously operated'electric tubes and chambers with A; G. fields with comminuted dielectric adsorpent, with means of rapidly forcing through the whole, and means of attemperating, the air and gases from the are until finally condensed and absorbed; all under insulated conditions. I

40. All electrically. compounded product comprising. a, nitrogen compound homogei neous and of increased density and stability.

41. An electrically compounded product comprising an electro-negative nitrogen compound homogeneous and of increased density and stability.

-comprising nitrogen electro-negative com- 42. An electrically.compounded explosive pounds "of increased density :and stability 43. An electrically creasedidensity and stability.

:compounded product'- compnsmg a basic nltrate compound of in-' 44. An electrically compounded product In testimony whereof I hereto afiix mycomprising a calcium nitrate Compound of hand in the presence of two witnesses. increased denslty and stablllty.

An electrically compounded product JACOB BLOOM 5 comprising electro-negative nitrogen groups NVitnesses:

of increased density and stability and homo- VICTOR R. LEVY,

geneous. O'ns C. TILTON. 

